Concerns about bias incidents on Oberlin College campus has prompted school officials to ask the FBI to investigate. Jon Fobes, The Plain Dealer

OBERLIN, Ohio -- Oberlin College has asked the FBI to investigate possibly racially motivated incidents that have been reported on campus in the past month.

School officials said in a statement released Thursday night that "Oberlin College approached the FBI with significant concerns about the bias incidents which have occurred on the campus. The FBI just notified us that they are initiating an investigation. We will be cooperating closely with the FBI in their investigation."

Normally the FBI does not confirm or deny investigations, but FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson said the agency is aware of the incidents.

"The Oberlin College administration and Oberlin Police Department are investigating and keeping us informed," Anderson said. "At this stage, we'll continue to be involved with them and see whether this progresses to the point we need to be further involved."

Earlier, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio declined to confirm or deny whether the FBI was investigating.

The liberal arts college was at the center of international media attention this week, after it suspended classes Monday in response to a reported sighting on a person dressed in Ku Klux Klan garb. The reported sighting followed a half-dozen incidents involving racial, homophobic and anti-Semitic vandalism during the past month.

College President Marvin Krislov wrote in an online letter Wednesday that the college was "enlisting external sources of expertise to aid us in investigating these incidents." The letter did not elaborate.

The college also issued a bulletin Thursday saying it has increased security presence on campus.

"We have partnered with local law enforcement to provide a vigilant presence on campus and walking patrols from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.," the bulletin said. "The Oberlin Police Department is providing vehicle patrols at this and other times."

The college has declined to comment on a report that two students are under investigation for their possible involvement in a string of hate-related graffiti found on campus over the last month.

Classes at the college in Lorain County were canceled Monday after an unconfirmed report that someone wearing what was described as Ku Klux Klan-like garb was spotted on campus about 1:30 a.m.

The Oberlin Review, a student newspaper, reported Wednesday that despite the removal of two students believed to be responsible for the hate graffiti, there have been reports this week that student organizers have been harassed, threatened and chased on campus.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.